safety
Dog named Joy dies in Tennessee farmhouse fire after saving family from blaze
By Danica Sauter at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV) - A family was saved by a farm dog after it alerted them to a fire at a farmhouse they were renting in Franklin, Tennessee.Libby Smallbone, who owns the property, said their farm dog, Joy, started barking loudly around 2 a.m., along with the fire alarms.Smallbone said the f...
Key takeaway Libby Smallbone, who owns the property, said their farm dog, Joy, started barking loudly around 2 a.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The loss of Joy, the farm dog, and the destruction of the farmhouse in Franklin, Tennessee, has left a family of five, including three young boys, without a home or belongings. As the family recovers from their ordeal, including burns and other injuries, the community's response will be crucial in helping them get back on their feet. The fact that Joy's barking alerted the family to the fire, allowing them to escape, underscores the importance of fire safety measures and the role that pets can play in emergency situations. The community's support, through donations and other forms of assistance, will be essential in helping the family replace their lost possessions and find a new place to live. With the family's immediate needs being addressed, attention will also turn to the cause of the fire and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV) - A family was saved by a farm dog after it alerted them to a fire at a farmhouse they were renting in Franklin, Tennessee.Libby Smallbone, who owns the property, said their farm dog, Joy, started barking loudly around 2 a.m., along with the fire alarms.Smallbone said the f...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danica Sauter at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter